How Yarn is Made

Yarn is used in many types of craft projects. The most common are crocheting and knitting. But, it is also used in rug making and children's crafts. Hardly anyone gives a thought as to how the yarn is made when they are crafting it into a finished project. But, it can be useful to know.

The beginning process in making yarn depends on the type of fiber being used. If animal hair, such as wool or mohair or alpaca, is to be used, it is first shorn off of the animals. This results in a fleece which is made up of short strands of the animal hair. If the yarn is to be made from an Angora rabbit, the animal is first combed or clipped to obtain the necessary hair. Cotton fibers are obtained from cotton bolls that are harvested from the plants and processed to get the seeds out. The cocoon of a silkworm provides the fibers to make silk yarn.

There are two products that are made from cellulose. Rayon is made from cotton or wood cellulose. And, Tencel is made from tree pulp. Other fibers that are man-made are produced in a single, long filament. However, they are usually cut into shorter lengths so they will more closely resemble natural fibers.

Once the fibers are obtained, they are combed or carded to get them aligned. This is the point where the fibers are blended if the yarn is to be a mixture. This is also where any shiny fibers are added, to make the yarn sparkle. After the fibers are straightened, they are spun together. Depending on which way they are spun, they will either form an S or a Z twist. The twisted strand, or ply, is spun with one or more other plies in the opposite direction. This process makes a multi-plied yarn. The plies are spun together to make the yarn stronger and more balanced.

The commercial yarns that you buy at your local yarn shop are usually spun by machine. However, it is possible to find hand-spun yarn. The yarn can be dyed during any part of this process. Some yarn is spun from fibers that have already been dyed. The fibers can be dyed after they are carded. Even the finished yarn can be dyed.

No matter what yarn project you are working on, you will usually choose the yarn you think is most attractive. Many times, the yarn with the most work put into spinning it will be more attractive. No matter what process was used to make your yarn, The end product will be a one-of-a-kind item because you made it by hand.